Passage 1
इतः सा कौशिकी नाम शुद्धनीरा तरङ्गिणी। विश्वामित्रस्य क्षत्रस्य ब्रह्मतेजःप्रभेव या॥१॥
From here flows the clear-watered river named Kauśikī, appearing like the radiance of brahmanic splendour born from Viśvāmitra’s kṣatriya nature.
Passage 2
इतो घोषवती नाम पुण्यतोया महानदी। द्वयोर्मध्ये पुरी श्रेष्ठा मिथिला नाम सा प्रिये॥२॥
From there flows the great and sacred river named Ghoṣavatī. Between the two stands that excellent city named Mithilā, beloved one.
Passage 3
यस्यां निमिकुलोत्तंसो जनको नाम भूपतिः। जन्मज्ञानी जन्मशुद्धो महायोगी सदाशयः॥३॥
There ruled King Janaka, crest-jewel of Nimi’s lineage—wise and pure from birth, a great yogin whose purpose was ever noble.
Passage 4
तस्य सा परमा कन्या सीता नाम्नी त्वयोनिजा। यज्ञवेद्यां समुद्भूता पश्यतां महतां पुरा॥४॥
His supreme daughter was Sītā, the womb-unborn maiden who long ago arose from the sacrificial altar before the eyes of the great.
Passage 5
रुक्मिणी सत्यभामाद्या यस्यांशाः सकला अपि। भूलोलाराधिकेत्यादि नामपर्याययोगिनी॥५॥
Rukmiṇī, Satyabhāmā, and all the others are her partial manifestations. She possesses such alternative names as Bhūlolā and Rādhikā.
Passage 6
चाम्पेयगर्भमृदुला दामिनीशतविग्रहा। प्रेमभक्तिस्वरूपेण अवतीर्णा भवेत् स्वयम्॥६॥
Tender as the heart of a campaka blossom and formed of a hundred lightning flashes, she herself descended in the very form of loving devotion.
Passage 7
अस्याः संस्मरणादेव प्रेमभक्तिः प्रवर्धते। तया संतुष्यते रामो वशीभवति नान्यथा॥७॥
Merely by remembering her, loving devotion increases. Through her Rāma is pleased and brought under love’s sway; there is no other way.
Passage 8
मतिश्चापि रतिश्चैव हे प्रिये जगदीशितुः। रामस्य दुर्भगास्त्वाद्याः सुभगास्त्वितरेऽपि हि॥८॥
Mati and Rati too, beloved one, belong to the Lord of the universe. The printed second line contrasts those beginning with you as Rāma’s durbhagās with the others as subhagās; its precise syntax is uncertain.
Passage 9
सेयं सीतेति सहजा नाम्ना ख्यातागमत्रये। एनामेव प्रगायन्ति नेतिनेतीति चागमाः॥९॥
This very innate Power is known by the name Sītā throughout the three scriptural traditions. The revealed texts celebrate her alone when they say, “Not this, not this.”
Passage 10
सा नित्या संगता रामे तत्स्वयस्वर ईर्यते। ब्रह्मादयोऽपि यत्रासन् महाकौतुकनिर्वृताः॥१०॥
She is eternally united with Rāma and is declared to be his own essential nature. At what now followed, even Brahmā and the other gods were fulfilled by supreme wonder.
Passage 11
अथ मिथिला नाम्नी सा नगरी बृहद्गोपुरविराजितकनककपाटा संकलितसुवर्णशृङ्गाटका देवगिरिप्रतिमप्राकारपर्यन्तप्रविन्यस्तागाधपरिखाजला महामङ्गलप्रसङ्गविस्तीर्णनगरद्वारा मणिहेममयतोरणा विशालपुराट्टालस्फाटिकभित्तिप्रतिफलितरविरश्मिसन्दोहचकच्चकायमाना नानामणिप्रभावलीभिः पुरन्दरधनुर्लतायमाननगरगोपानसोका विततापणप्रसार्यमाणसुवर्णमणिरत्नप्रचुरा विशालस्वरमूर्च्छायितान्तरिक्षपथैर्गन्धर्वराजैरुपगायद्भिरासादितगोष्ठीमनोरमा पवनान्दोलितदीर्घध्वजपटसनाथप्रासादशिखरोपान्तघूर्णायमानप्रमत्तकपोतकुलमन्दध्वनिमनोहरा अनवरतहुताज्यगन्धिश्रोत्रियागारोपरिभ्रमद्धूमलेखानुक्षणधावद्बुभुक्षुद्विजकुला निरन्तरप्रवृत्तदीर्घदीक्षाकाध्वरसमामन्त्रितपुरन्दरादिदेवगणा चतुर्वर्णचतुराश्रमाचारप्रवर्तनमूलकरणभूता॥११॥
The city named Mithilā shone with great gateways and golden doors, gold-filled crossroads, an encircling wall like a divine mountain, and a deep moat laid out all around it. Its broad city gates welcomed every great auspicious festival, and arches of jewels and gold rose above them. Sunbeams reflected from the crystal walls of its immense mansions until everything glittered. Rows of many-coloured gems made the city seem wreathed in Indra’s rainbow; its long markets overflowed with gold, jewels, and precious stones. Gatherings were delighted by Gandharva kings whose expansive notes entranced the paths of the sky. Long banners moved in the wind above palace pinnacles, while the soft calls of exhilarated pigeons circling nearby gave the city another charm. The homes of Vedic householders were fragrant with ceaseless offerings of ghee; lines of sacrificial smoke wheeled above them, pursued at every moment by hungry birds. Long consecrations and sacrifices went on without cease, summoning Indra and the other gods. Mithilā was the very root from which the conduct of the four social orders and the four stages of life was maintained.
Passage 12
तस्यां नगर्यां दीर्घध्वजपताकातूर्यत्रिकनादानुलक्षितं जनकभूभुजः पुण्यतमं भवनम्। यत्र भगवान् त्रिकालपरामर्शविदितवेद्यो ब्रह्मविद्वरिष्ठो याज्ञवल्क्यो नाम योगीन्द्रोऽमुष्मै एव परब्रह्मविद्यामुपदिशन् प्रीतिपणित इव निरन्तरमास्ते॥१२॥
Within that city stood King Janaka’s most sacred palace, marked by long banners, pennants, and the sounding of three kinds of instruments. There the blessed Yājñavalkya—the lord of yogins, foremost knower of Brahman, and sage whose insight ranged over all three times—dwelt continually, as though bound by affection, teaching Janaka the knowledge of the supreme Brahman.
Passage 13
अन्ये च शुकवामदेवप्रमुखास्तादृशा एव निर्ग्रन्थ्याः समुत्तीर्णशब्दब्रह्मविषयाः परमनयोः कथानकं ब्रह्मोच्चं जायमानं शृण्वन्ति। तत्र तमायान्तं गाधिनन्दनमुपश्रुत्यासभमकक्षान्तमभिवन्द्य गृहेऽप्रवेशयज्जनकराजः॥१३॥
Śuka, Vāmadeva, and other similarly unbound sages, who had crossed beyond the domain of verbal Brahman, listened there to the sublime discourse on Brahman as it unfolded between the two. When King Janaka heard that Gādhi’s son was approaching, he went out as far as the assembly’s outer chamber, greeted him with reverence, and brought him into the palace.
Passage 14
तत्र स्थितं याज्ञवल्क्यं ववन्दे गाधिनन्दनः। स च तं वर्धयामास शुभाशीर्भिः सुतोपमम्॥१४॥
Gādhi’s son bowed to Yājñavalkya, who was present there, and Yājñavalkya welcomed him like a son with auspicious blessings.
Passage 15
कृतार्हणं तेजसोग्रं ब्रह्मक्षत्रं महामुनिम्। उवाच नृपतिश्रेष्ठो जनको ब्रह्मवित्तमः॥१५॥
After honouring that great sage—fierce in splendour, uniting brahmanic and royal power—the excellent king Janaka, himself a supreme knower of Brahman, addressed him. King Janaka said:
Passage 16
स्वागतं ते मुनिश्रेष्ठ चिराद् दृष्टोऽसि भाग्यतः। भवादृशा हि धरणीं नृणां गच्छन्ति शर्मणे॥१६॥
“Welcome, best of sages! By good fortune I behold you after a long time. Great ones such as you walk the earth for the welfare of humankind.
Passage 17
कुशलं त्वयि योगीन्द्र प्रष्टव्यं सेवकैर्जनैः। अन्येभ्यः कुशलं दत्से त्वयि कस्तस्य संशयः॥१७॥
“Lord of yogins, it is only servants who should ask whether all is well with you. You bestow well-being upon others; who could entertain any doubt about your own?” Viśvāmitra said:
Passage 18
राजन् निमिकुलोत्तंस किमाश्चर्यं भवादृशाः। स्वभावमधुराचाराः विशेषाद् गृहमागताः॥१८॥
“King, crest-jewel of Nimi’s lineage, what wonder is there that one such as you, naturally gentle in conduct, is especially gracious to guests who have come to your home?
Passage 19
धन्योऽसि कृतकृत्योऽसि यस्य योगर्द्धिरुत्तमा। ब्रह्मविद्वर वन्द्योऽसि योगीन्द्र जनकेश्वर॥१९॥
“You are blessed and have accomplished all that must be done, for your yogic attainment is supreme. Excellent knower of Brahman, lord of yogins, King Janaka, you are worthy of reverence.
Passage 20
धन्येयं मिथिला यत्र भूमिपालो भवादृशः। ज्ञानविज्ञानसंपन्नो दर्शनात् पङ्क्तिपावनः॥२०॥
“Blessed is this Mithilā, where a ruler such as you—endowed with knowledge and realization—sanctifies a whole company merely by being seen.” King Janaka said:
Passage 21
इमौ कौ भवतः सङ्गे कुमारौ दीप्तवर्चसौ। ललितैः श्यामलैरङ्गैर्दृक्पीयूषप्रवर्षणौ॥२१॥
“Who are these two radiant princes accompanying you? Their graceful dark limbs pour showers of nectar upon the eyes.
Passage 22
धनुर्वाणधरौ तुल्यवेशौ निजपराक्रमौ। अहो अत्यद्भुतावेतौ सानन्दं कुरुतोऽद्य माम्॥२२॥
“They bear bows and arrows, are dressed alike, and possess innate valour. Ah, these two most wondrous youths fill me with joy today.” Viśvāmitra said:
Passage 23
अस्ति रविवंशकेतुर्महोमना महाधार्मिको महातेजस्वी दितिजदनुजरक्षोवधसंतोषितपुरन्दरादिसुपर्वगणोद्गीतविपुलकीर्तिः साकेतपुरीपालो राजा दशरथो नाम॥२३॥
“There is a king named Daśaratha, lord of the city of Sāketa and banner of the Solar dynasty. He is magnanimous, profoundly righteous, and immensely radiant. His far-reaching fame is sung by Indra and the other gods, whom he has pleased through the destruction of Daityas, Dānavas, and rākṣasas.
Passage 24
तस्येमे ऋष्यशृङ्गभागधेयपुञ्जा इव चत्वारो रघुकुलपुण्यपरिपाकपरिप्राप्तोपचयवद्विग्रहाः पुत्रा रामलक्ष्मणभरतशत्रुघ्नेत्याख्याभिः प्रसिद्धाः॥२४॥
“His four sons seem to be the concentrated good fortune bestowed through Ṛṣyaśṛṅga. Their embodied forms are the accumulated ripening of the merit of Raghu’s house, and they are renowned by the names Rāma, Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata, and Śatrughna.
Passage 25
त्रिभुवनेऽपि ईशौ तौ रामलक्ष्मणौ यौ दुष्टानेकराक्षसकुलवधेन मदीयमहायज्ञदीक्षानिर्वहणादीक्षितेन धनुषा सनाथीकृतकरतलौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ पुनर्दशरथस्य दृशमानन्दयन्तौ साकेतम् एवाभिनन्दयतः॥२५॥
“These two, Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, are lords even of the three worlds. Their hands now hold the bows commissioned to complete my great sacrificial vow by destroying many clans of wicked rākṣasas. Bharata and Śatrughna remain in Sāketa, delighting Daśaratha’s eyes and bringing joy to the city.
Passage 26
अमी ते सीतापुरोगाणां चतसृणां दुहितॄणां विधिनैव निरूपिता अनुरूपवयोवेशर्द्धिकुलसंपन्ना वराः। लोकोऽपि संपन्नमनोरथ एव प्रायशो भविता यः श्रीरामेण वरेण वरस्वयंवरसमाप्तौ॥२६॥
“Providence itself has appointed these four as husbands for your four daughters headed by Sītā. They are perfectly matched in age, appearance, prosperity, and lineage. The world too will have its desire fulfilled when the choosing of the finest bridegroom concludes with glorious Rāma as the groom.”
Passage 27
इति श्रुत्वा स भूपालो विश्वामित्रोदितं वचः। सस्मार शाङ्करं धन्व महावज्रशिलादृढम्॥२७॥
Hearing these words spoken by Viśvāmitra, the king remembered Śaṅkara’s bow, hard as a vast slab of diamond. King Janaka said:
Passage 28
अहो दशरथो राजा पुण्यात्मा पुण्यकीर्तनः। तस्येमौ तनुजौ वीरौ भाग्याद् दृष्टिपथं गतौ॥२८॥
“Ah, King Daśaratha is a virtuous soul whose glory is sacred. By good fortune these two heroic sons of his have entered my sight.
Passage 29
परं त्वेकः पणो घोरः कन्यावितरणे मम। आरोपयेद् य ऐशं तद्धनुस्तस्मै प्रदीयते॥२९॥
“Yet I have made one formidable pledge concerning the giving of my daughter: she will be given to the man who strings that bow of Īśa.”
Passage 30
इत्युक्तः स मुनि राज्ञा जनकेन मनस्विना। राममालोक्य प्रोवाच सस्मितं मधुरं वचः॥३०॥
Thus addressed by the high-minded King Janaka, the sage looked at Rāma and, smiling, spoke these gentle words. Viśvāmitra said:
Passage 31
संबध्यतां परिकरो हरकार्मुकरोपणे। वत्स राम त्वमियति समस्ते वीरमण्डले॥३१॥
“Dear Rāma, gird yourself to string Hara’s bow before this entire assembly of heroes.
Passage 32
कुर्वपूर्वतरं कर्म यत्र वै बाणरावणौ। अभूतां बलसंदोहैरशक्यपराहतौ॥३२॥
“Perform before all others the deed in which Bāṇa and Rāvaṇa, despite their masses of strength, were unable to succeed and were repulsed.”
Passage 33
इत्युक्तो भगवान् रामः स्वयं साक्षाद्रमापतिः। दृष्ट्वा हरधनुः सद्यो लीलयैव समाददे॥३३॥
Thus addressed, blessed Rāma—himself the manifest Lord of Ramā—looked upon Hara’s bow and at once lifted it in sheer play.
Passage 34
यस्य बाणानलोद्गारे त्रिपुरोऽभूत् पतङ्गवत्। हिमालयं धनुर्यस्य ज्या रेषा भुजगेश्वरः॥३४॥
At the eruption of the fire from its arrow, Tripura had become like a moth. The Himalaya was its bow, and the king of serpents formed the line of its bowstring.
Passage 35
शरः स भगवान् विष्णुस्त्रयोऽमूर्तिः सनातनः। तमादायैकहस्तेन कोदण्डं कृत्तिवाससः॥३५॥
Its arrow was blessed Viṣṇu, the eternal divine presence in this threefold form. Rāma took that bow of the hide-clad Lord in one hand.
Passage 36
ज्यां समारोपयामास समालम्ब्य बभञ्ज च। धनुर्भङ्गोद्भवः शब्दो गगनं समपूरयत्॥३६॥
He set the string upon it and, drawing it back, broke the bow. The sound born from the breaking of the bow completely filled the sky.
Passage 37
चचाल धरणी सर्वा पर्वताश्च चकम्पिरे। तत्रास वासुकिकुलं बिभ्युर्देवगणा दिवि॥३७॥
The whole earth shook and the mountains trembled. Vāsuki’s race was terrified, and the hosts of gods grew afraid in heaven.
Passage 38
महाशब्देन जातेन सागराश्च विसुस्रुवुः। गिरीणां कन्दरास्वन्तर्घनीभूतो महाध्वनिः॥३८॥
At that tremendous sound the oceans overflowed. The mighty reverberation became concentrated within the caverns of the mountains.
Passage 39
हर्यक्षान् क्षोभयामास प्रलयाघातदुःसहः। तदा रामधनुर्भङ्गात् सीता पूर्णमनोरथा॥३९॥
Unbearable as the impact of dissolution, it agitated the lions in their mountain caves. Through Rāma’s breaking of the bow, Sītā’s desire was now completely fulfilled.
Passage 40
स्वयंवरस्रजं पत्युः कण्ठे सप्रणयं न्यधात्। रामस्य कण्ठे पतति स्वयंवरस्रजे तदा॥४०॥
With love she placed the svayaṃvara garland around her husband’s neck. As the garland fell upon Rāma’s throat—
Passage 41
दिवि दुन्दुभयो नेदुर्जनकस्य पुरे तथा। जनकस्तुष्टहृदयो जामातरि महागुणे॥४१॥
heavenly drums resounded in the sky and throughout Janaka’s city. Janaka’s heart rejoiced in his supremely virtuous son-in-law.
Passage 42
राजा तमाह्वयामास साकेतनगराधिपम्। विवाहं कारयामास ब्राह्मणैर्विधिकोविदैः॥४२॥
The king summoned Daśaratha, lord of the city of Sāketa, and had priests learned in sacred procedure perform the wedding.
Passage 43
सीताराघवयोर्यत्र ब्रह्माद्या आययुः सुराः। राघवः सीतया साकं कृत्वा सप्तपदीविधिम्॥४३॥
Brahmā and the other gods came to the wedding of Sītā and Rāghava. Rāghava performed the rite of the seven steps together with Sītā.
Passage 44
लाजाहोमविधिं कृत्वा रराज सुषमाञ्चितः। अश्मनि स्थापिता देवी शुशुभे तत्र जानकी॥४४॥
Having completed the rite of offering parched grain, he shone endowed with beauty. There the divine Jānakī shone as her foot was placed upon the stone.
Passage 45
अद्यापि मूर्धगा मृत्योः रामोत्सङ्गे स्थिरैव सा। हरिद्राग्रन्थिकलितं पीतसूत्रं करे दधत्॥४५॥
Even now she remains firmly upon Rāma’s lap, above the very head of death, while he holds in his hand the yellow thread tied with its turmeric knot.
Passage 46
सीतया शुशुभे रामो गृहलक्ष्म्या गृहाधिपः। लक्ष्मणोऽपि वधूं प्राप्य उर्मिलां जनकात्मजाम्॥४६॥
Rāma, lord of the household, shone beside Sītā, its Lakṣmī. Lakṣmaṇa likewise received as his bride Urmilā, Janaka’s daughter.
Passage 47
रामवत्सीतया सार्धं तया सार्धं मुमोद सः। एवं भरतशत्रुघ्नौ कुमारौ रामसुन्दरौ॥४७॥
Like Rāma rejoicing together with Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa rejoiced together with Urmilā. In the same way the princes Bharata and Śatrughna, lovely like Rāma—
Passage 48
माण्डवीश्रुतकीर्तिभ्यां वधूभ्यां जग्मतुर्मुदम्। चतस्रोऽमुष्य ताः कन्याश्चतुर्भ्यां दिव्यविग्रहाः। वरेभ्यः सहसा दत्ताः प्रजानां दृक्सुखं ददुः॥४८॥
attained joy with their brides Māṇḍavī and Śrutakīrti. Janaka’s four daughters, all of divine form, were thus at once given to the four excellent grooms and bestowed delight upon the eyes of the people. --- Thus ends the seventy-sixth chapter, entitled “The Breaking of Śiva’s Bow,” in the dialogue of Brahmā and Bhuśuṇḍa in the Śrīmad Ādi Rāmāyaṇa. Source note The root text is controlled against source leaves 451–455 of the 1975 printed edition. Its forty-eight printed passage numbers run sequentially; passages 11–13 and 23–26 are numbered Sanskrit prose and remain prose here. The scan’s difficult or irregular readings in passages 8, 11, 13, 32, 35, 38, and 39 are retained rather than silently replaced; the English gives the clearest sense allowed by their immediate syntax and narrative context.